Dairy

Dairy

What makes humans do these things

 to cows to get their milk?

Some say dairy’s ok because at least

There’s no blood spilt -

But impregnation by a hand is

not the way of the earth

To feed humans their babies’ milk

Is not why cows give birth

Naturally no newborn should be

 taken from its mother,

Tube forced down its throat and its milk

 given to another

Us! Who do not need it

Cause a mother cow to cry

I don’t know how society

Has had this normalized.

LJ Ireton 2018

Attention

Attention

Foot after foot and ten thousand arms

Unison shouts, sounding drums and alarms

We need to do this, to stand up for truth

But people are looking at us and not

You.

Copyright LJ Ireton 2018

Solace

Solace

I sought solace with swans

After too much human noise

Their shapes on sunlit water

Soothed an ache inside my mind.

A person, then another 

Held out hands to feed a swan

But held no food, just photo smiles - 

The bird's expectations undone.

And just like that, the camera flash 

Burnt my bubbling peace

Humans tricked the birds

So now, again, they troubled me.

Copyright LJ Ireton 2018

An old man and his dog

An old man and his dog

Sauntered slowly up to me 

He pointed at the bird picture

I'd wanted him to see

Then pointed back down at his dog,

Said "He's just like him, like me"

And I thought as he walked away

Yes, that's it completely.

Copyright LJ 2018

Seen

Seen

For you who suffer behind walls

We will be your windows

On bricks we'll hold up squares of you

Reflections from the shadows 

Outside, outside demands you, yet

Outside you'll never see

We will face outside for you

Your faces will be seen.

Copyright LJ Ireton 2018
Dedicated to The Humane League UK